posted on July 10, 2007 11:50:12 PM new
Carmona Says Bush Officials Muzzled Him
Updated 2:09 AM ET July 11, 2007
By KEVIN FREKING
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's most recent surgeon general accused the administration Tuesday of muzzling him for political reasons on hot-button health issues such as emergency contraception and abstinence-only education.
Dr. Richard Carmona, the nation's 17th surgeon general, told lawmakers that all surgeons general have had to deal with politics but none more so than he.
For example, he said he wasn't allowed to make a speech at the Special Olympics because it was viewed as benefiting a political opponent. However, he said was asked to speak at events designed to benefit Republican lawmakers.
"The reality is that the nation's doctor has been marginalized and relegated to a position with no independent budget, and with supervisors who are political appointees with partisan agendas," said Carmona, who served from 2002 to 2006.
Responding, the White House said Carmona was given the authority and had the obligation to be the leading voice for the health of all Americans.
"It's disappointing to us if he failed to use his position to the fullest extent in advocating for policies he thought were in the best interests of the nation," said Deputy Press Secretary Tony Fratto. "We believe Dr. Carmona received the support necessary to carry out his mission."
Confirmation hearings are scheduled to be held Thursday for Dr. James. Holsinger Jr., the Kentucky cardiologist Bush nominated as the nation's 18th surgeon general. The nomination has been criticized by gay rights groups.
Carmona testified Tuesday at a hearing of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Also appearing were Drs. C. Everett Koop, who served as surgeon general from 1981-1889, and David Satcher, who served from 1998-2001.
"Political interference with the work of the surgeon general appears to have reached a new level in this administration," said committee Chairman Henry Waxman, D-Calif.
Koop is probably the most recognized former surgeon general. He talked about AIDS as a public health issue rather than a moral issue, which won him many admirers and some critics. He said President Reagan was pressed to fire him every day, but Reagan would not interfere.
Koop said that after he left office he had more access to the secretary of Health and Human Services than his successor, Satcher, and that embarrassed him. "Dr. Carmona was treated with even less respect than Dr. Satcher," Koop said.
A report condemning secondhand smoke was a hallmark of Carmona's tenure.
Another report, on global health challenges, was never released after the administration demanded changes that he refused to make, Carmona said.
"I was told this would be a political document or you're not going to release it." Carmona said. "I said it can't be a political document because the surgeon general never releases political documents. I release scientific documents that will help our elected officials and the citizens understand the complex world we live in and what their responsibilities are."
He refused to identify the officials who sought the changes.
Carmona said he believed the surgeon general should show leadership on health issues. But his speeches were edited by political appointees, and he was told not to talk about certain issues. For example, he supported comprehensive sex education that would include abstinence in the curriculum, rather than focusing solely on abstinence.
"However, there was already a policy in place that didn't want to hear the science, but wanted to quote, unquote preach abstinence, which I felt was scientifically incorrect," Carmona said.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
posted on July 11, 2007 07:42:44 AM new
crow, has it ever occured to you that we can and have already read the articles that you continue to copy and paste. What a waste of space. You should realize this by looking at the count of posters replying to your articles. In lots of cases, none.
Or, as in the case of your post "slip sliding away" there are 3 replies, all yours. You're talking to yourself. Pitiful.
Get a hobby!
[ edited by etexbill on Jul 11, 2007 07:47 AM ]
posted on July 11, 2007 08:14:19 AM new
""Struck a nerve, did it?"""
Only you would call it that ...I call it a response....but I see you, who are so "new " here...have all the neocon non-responses down pat.
Now, etex, try real hard to realize that you have no control over me nor any other poster here.
Try real hard to come up with an intelligent post addressing the issues....(without getting a headache) ....it's so obvious the only reason you post at all is to attack me......nothing else to do ?????
posted on July 11, 2007 07:38:48 PM new
Quote: "Try real hard to come up with an intelligent post addressing the issues....(without getting a headache) ....it's so obvious the only reason you post at all is to attack me......nothing else to do ??"
mingo, try and remember who attacked whom first. Was it me?? NO.
)